Law

Selling safety

Article Abstract:

The United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) finds that companies must take safety seriously for humanitarian, financial and legal reasons. Selling safety up and down the management line depends on the nature of the workplace and its employees. Claims of being humanitarian characterize most senior managers, yet they still baulk at having to provide resources. Quantifying the savings that can be made by preventing accidents would therefore be a way of selling safety up the line. Showing costs at an individual level might be a way of selling safety down the line.

Emergency response

Article Abstract:

Computer software and computer-based training materials are available for dealing with emergency response situations. CD-ROMs and databases are useful for obtaining information on chemical spills, first aid, and related data. Pocket computers, communications products, and disaster planning software are among the computer tools available to safety managers, fire-fighters and other safety professionals.

Testing portable electrical appliances

Article Abstract:

Computer tools are available to monitor safe usage of portable electrical appliances in the workplace. Test data on these appliances can be stored via a number of software products and management systems. This information can be used to monitor the performance of various portable appliances, thus preventing electrical accidents due to problems with grounding, wiring, insulation, or fuses.